Jain Studies and Science

SR No.: 006923
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Mahaveer Raj Gelada
Publisher: Jain Vishva Bharati
Publication Year: 2007
Total Pages: 272
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 6 MB

Page 207

PREKSHA MEDITATION, THERAPY AND CURES/195
(III) NERVOUS SYSTEM
The nervous system controls and coordinates the internal body environment as well as monitors external surroundings. Importantly, it is responsible for behaviour, thought and personality. Depending on the nature of activities carried out by different constituents of the nervous system, it is categorized into three parts -
1. Central Nervous System (CNS-comprising the brain and spinal cord) 2. Peripheral Nervous System (PNS - comprising nerves) 3. Autonomic Nervous System (ANS - comprising sympathetic &
para sympathetic systems)
Unlike endocrine system which functions by the physical movement of chemicals, the nervous system uses electrical stimuli which act and travel very fast. The basic and functional unit of nervous system is neuron. These neurons are of varied shapes and sizes, but share the same basic structure - a cell body surrounded by cytoplasm, an axon (branch extension) and dendrites (multibranch extensions).
1. Central Nervous System
The CNS has two interconnected but distinct important parts -
• The Brain
• The Spinal Cord
The brain is the central organ of the nervous system where all information is first collected, processed, analyzed and then decision is made and action is ordered. The cerebrum, cerebellum and the brain stem together make up the brain. An adult brain weighs about 1.5 Kg and consists of more than 12,000 million neurons. The outstanding anatomical feature of cerebrum is very irregular folds called convolutions, the pattern of which varies from person to person.
1.1. Brain Anatomy
The brain is protected within the rigid bony skull. At the base of skull is a hole, through which the spinal cord passes. The brain and spinal cord are further protected by the three covering layers of tissue called meninges. Between the two layers a fluid called cerebro-spinal-fliuid (CSF) is entrapped in such a manner that this fluid bathes the whole surface of the brain and the spinal cord.
The outer part of brain has two cerebral hemispheres, divided by a